Military

These 2 military plaques are located at the Sartell Community Center, in the first room on the right, which is open to the public to view.

World War II Veterans killed in Action


Sgt. William J Bettenberg Jr. born 12-24-1922 in Sartell, Son of William Bettenberg Sr. and Esther (Mayer) Bettenberg. He died in Northern Italy on 4-15-1945 at age 22. He is buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Sauk Rapids. He was survived by parents, sister Vivian (Emil) Kelm, Virginia (Mike) Pikus, brother Charles and his wife Genevieve (Zupan) and his son who was 36 hours old. SGT 87 MT INF Div World War II

Cpl. Arthur English born 3-28-1915 in Sartell to Mr. & Mrs. John English. He was killed 9-6-1944, at age 29 on a training mission when the plane crashed during a thunderstorm near Austin, Texas. He was survived by his parents, brother Sgt. Al English, A/C Richard English, sister Bernetta Bohlsen, his wife Viola (Gohman) and son Jon Arthur.

Sgt. Alvin Jancik born 3-17-1917 in Tabor MN to Thomas Sr and Mary Jancik. He died 2-6-1945 at 27 years of age, in France. He is survived by parents, sister, Helen Malisheski, Leona, Rosemary, brothers, George, Thomas Jr.,Dennis, wife Wanda (Clark), daughter Ann and son Keith.

Lt Ernest Porupsky born 4-4-1924 to Adam and Rose Porupski. He died on 8-8-1945 in Pacific area at age of 21 He was survived by parents and brother Leroy.

Pfc Philip Weis born 6-7-1923 to Philip and Hazel (Berger) Weis. Philip died 1-6-1945 in Luxembourg at age 21.. He was buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm, Luxembourg. Philip was survived by his parents, brother Roland and half brother Jack. 328 Infantry 26 Div

2LT Norman Wesley Woodward born 3-5- 1917 to Philip Miner Woodward and Daisy Maude Sartell Woodward. He was MIA died 4-15-1943 at age 26. Survived by siblings, Harvey, William, Evelyn, Richard and Natalie. 51st FTR Squadron, 32nd FTR Group, US Army Air Corps, World War Two. Missing in action or buried at sea. Entered service from Minnesota. World War II West Coast Memorial.

Tech 5/Grade Joseph Zakrajshek born 3-16- 1918 to Frank Sr and Mailda (Triller). He was killed on 3-8-1945 in Luzon, Philippines at age 26. He was survived by his parents, brothers, Frank Jr., Tony, Edward, Thomas and sisters Mathilda, Maryanne, Margaret and Helen and his wife Vera (Perry).

St. Cloud Times, Feb. 6, 1945. Philip W. Weis Reported Missing in Luxembourg. Pfc. Philip W. Weis, son of Postmaster and Mrs. P.A. Weis of Sartell, has been reported missing in action since Jan. 6, in Luxembourg area, according to a message received by them this past week. Philip is a graduate of Technical High school of the class of 1942. He entered service in March 1943 and has been overseas since September 1944. Pfc. Weis was a bazooka man in the infantry. He also was a track star at Technical High school during 1941-42. A younger brother, Roland, is in the naval forces in the south Pacific. St. Cloud Times. Philip Weis, Listed Missing, Killed in Action. Pfc. Philip W. Weis, son of Mr. and Mrs. P.A. Weis of Sartell previously reported missing in action Jan. 6, 1945, has now been reported as killed in action on that date. The following telegram was received recently by his parents. "The secretary of war has asked me to express his deep regrets that your son, Pfc. Philip W. Weis was killed in action in Luxembourg Jan. 6, 1945. I regret that unavoidable circumstances made necessary the unusual lapse of time in reporting your sons death to you." Signed, Robert H. Dunlop acting adjutant of the army general. Pfc. Weis entered the service Mar. 4, 1943 and after three months of basic training at Camp Wolters TX was transferred to the air corps and Miami FL, later being sent to Car... PA. He passed for pilot training and was in a pilot pool at Nashville TN when an order came out for all pilot training to close. He was also a member of the air corps band. In September, 1944, he was sent overseas as a replacement in the infantry. Surviving are his parents, brother, Roland, in the navy and half-brother Jack Nichol of Chicago. Memorial services will be held later pending the arrival home of his brother Roland. A graduate of Technical High School calls of 1942 Pfc Weis was the winner of many honors in track work there. Prior to entering the service he was employed at the DeZurik Shower company in Sartell. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge of St. Cloud.

Name Philip Warren Weis

From Benton County, Minnesota

Born June 7, 1923

Death January 6, 1945

War World War II

Branch US Army

Rank Private First Class

Group 26th Infantry Division, 328th Infantry Regiment

Cause Hostile, Killed in Action

Awarded ★ Purple Heart


Norman W Woodward

Son of Philip Miner Woodward and Daisy Maude Sartell Woodward siblings; Harvey, William, Evelyn, Richard, and Natalie.

2nd Lieutenant, 51st FTR Squadron, 32nd FTR Group, US Army Air Corps, World War Two. Missing in action or buried at sea. Entered service from Minnesota.

2LT Norman Wesley Woodward

BIRTH 5 Mar 1917 Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, USA

DEATH 15 Apr 1943 (aged 26)

MEMORIAL SITE* World War II West Coast Memorial

San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA

* A structure erected in honor of someone whose remains lie elsewhere. PLOT Tablets of the Missing


This drawing shows Charles Sartell in the upper right corner with a bandaged head.

This drawing is signed by Charles Sartell 1944 Solomon Island WWII

Display case of military artifacts on display during Veterans Day Event